125 years ago - Car Shops make gallows for state

Saturday

Feb 27, 2010 at 3:15 AM

By Warren D. Huse

LACONIA — The "machine which has been built at the Laconia Car Shops for the purpose of dropping Thomas Samon into eternity on the 17th day of April next, is not a remarkably fascinating affair, but has nevertheless attracted large crowds of men, women and children down Water street to the setting up shop of the company where the gallows has been erected," The Laconia Democrat reported, 125 years ago this week.

"The machine consists of a platform on posts about ten feet from the ground with the usual trap door, etc., while the frame to which the rope is attached extends some ten feet above the platform," the 1885 account continued.

"The bolt which drops the trap is sprung by stepping on a spring rising out of the platform, and the trap when released falls back under the floor and is held there, out of the way."

The machine "has been tried this week with a bag of sand, and works very smoothly. It has been painted a dead black and will probably remain where it is for some weeks to come."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.